Snake Stops Traffic In Sydney CBD

It's unclear where the snake came from but it's understood it was badly injured and has since been euthanised by rescuers.

Sydneysiders walking through the CBD on Tuesday morning were greeted by a slithery surprise when a snake was filmed on a busy road.

The red-bellied black snake was filmed by multiple witnesses at around 10:30am on Kent Street and appeared to be badly injured as it attempted to escape the road.

Karrol Dabre, whose wife Rekha filmed the animal from an Uber, told ten daily it was in the middle of the road as pedestrians looked on.

Jenny, a staff member from nearby business Mountain Equipment said she was unsure how the snake came to be right in front of their store but said they immediately called rescue services to come and collect the animal.

Jenny told ten daily she placed a box around the snake to make sure it didn't get away and that no passers-by could be injured.

A spokesperson from Sydney Wildlife at Lane Cove who retrieved the snake, said the creature had been badly injured and had to be euthanised.

The incident comes after a spate of recent sightings and snake bites across the country.

Just last week a snake shut down a train platform in Sydney's west and earlier this week a toddler in Melbourne's north-west was rushed to hospital after reportedly being bitten by a tiger snake.

Meanwhile in Queensland, a woman in her 80s was transported to hospital overnight after a suspected snake bite on her foot.

NSW Health issued a warning earlier this month to remind people to be more vigilant ahead of the warmer months.

Toxicology expert Geoff Isbister from Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital said snake bites traditionally increase in spring ahead of a peak in late December and January.

"Particularly if holidaying in a regional area and especially while camping, try to avoid being bitten in the first place by not interfering with snakes, and wearing long pants and boots if walking in areas where snakes are present,” Isbister said.

“Also ensure you are prepared and know what to do. If a person is bitten by a snake or spider, keep them rested and still, call an ambulance and use an elasticised bandage on the affected area."

“Tourniquets should not be applied, and the bite site should not be cut or sucked. Move slowly away from the snake and don’t try and kill it.”

Isbister said symptoms of a venomous bite include nausea, vomiting and headaches and in severe cases the person may collapse.